BRH Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 I go to DC a couple of times a year for a board meeting and, though I get reimbursed, I try to keep the costs as low as possible. This time I wasn't able to get a decent fare into and out of National, so I'm going through BWI. (I tried Dulles once and that sucked.) What's the best, fastest, and most convenient way to get to downtown DC (near the White House) from BWI? I'm guessing the MARC train to Union Station and then the Metro. How's that trip? Any help from locals much appreciated. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VABills Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 295 - Baltimore Washington Parkway. Rent a car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of BiB Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 I go to DC a couple of times a year for a board meeting and, though I get reimbursed, I try to keep the costs as low as possible. This time I wasn't able to get a decent fare into and out of National, so I'm going through BWI. (I tried Dulles once and that sucked.) What's the best, fastest, and most convenient way to get to downtown DC (near the White House) from BWI? I'm guessing the MARC train to Union Station and then the Metro. How's that trip? Any help from locals much appreciated. Thanks! 397814[/snapback] That's probably your best bet. MARC into Union Station then METRO to where ever. I live here (Alexandria) and rarely drive into DC. The traffic is horrible, and parking is always an adventure. I use the METRO myself. METRO Map MARC Map The downside is timing everything right, but it's cheaper than renting a car and putting up with the Balt-Wash Parkway or I-95, then having to find a place to park around Federal Triangle. When I lived in Baltimore, that's how I got back and forth. A drive could be 1 1/4 hour one day and 4 hours the next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of BiB Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 295 - Baltimore Washington Parkway. Rent a car. 397820[/snapback] Spoken by the man who comes from SOUTH of DC and takes the train every day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Tate Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 That's probably your best bet. MARC into Union Station then METRO to where ever. I live here (Alexandria) and rarely drive into DC. The traffic is horrible, and parking is always an adventure. I use the METRO myself. METRO Map MARC Map The downside is timing everything right, but it's cheaper than renting a car and putting up with the Balt-Wash Parkway or I-95, then having to find a place to park around Federal Triangle. When I lived in Baltimore, that's how I got back and forth. A drive could be 1 1/4 hour one day and 4 hours the next. 397821[/snapback] Driving directions into DC should always be accompanied by a prescription for a sedative of some sort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of BiB Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Driving directions into DC should always be accompanied by a prescription for a sedative of some sort. 397833[/snapback] Xanax works for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Take the MARC train into Union Station. $6 each way. Only problem is they only run every 30mins during rush hour, and hourly the rest of the day. Once at Union STation, the Metro will take you pretty much anywhere. Traffic into DC can be bad. It's probably worst on the Beltway, 66, and 95. BW Parkway is not too bad, but if you can live without a car, it's easier. PTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kasper13 Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 I just did this three weeks ago (in rush hour traffic both ways) 295 - Baltimore Washington Parkway, get off in Landover, park & ride, take the metro rail into Downtown DC. Took less than 40 minutes each way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt in KC Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 (MARC or drive to) Metro is definitely the way to go unless you are not going either way at rush hour, and there's company-paid parking in the building you're visiting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crap Throwing Monkey Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 I go to DC a couple of times a year for a board meeting and, though I get reimbursed, I try to keep the costs as low as possible. This time I wasn't able to get a decent fare into and out of National, so I'm going through BWI. (I tried Dulles once and that sucked.) What's the best, fastest, and most convenient way to get to downtown DC (near the White House) from BWI? I'm guessing the MARC train to Union Station and then the Metro. How's that trip? Any help from locals much appreciated. Thanks! 397814[/snapback] MARC to Union Station, Red Line to Farragut North would probably be your best bet if you're not driving. If you're driving...well, when I drive it, I take 295 to 50 West into downtown, which may not be the quickest but is most likely the easiest, though there is something to be said for taking 95 to 495 to Connecticut south to downtown... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of BiB Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 MARC to Union Station, Red Line to Farragut North would probably be your best bet if you're not driving. If you're driving...well, when I drive it, I take 295 to 50 West into downtown, which may not be the quickest but is most likely the easiest, though there is something to be said for taking 95 to 495 to Connecticut south to downtown... 397864[/snapback] I've ridden with him. Stick with the xanax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRH Posted August 4, 2005 Author Share Posted August 4, 2005 Thanks guys. All good suggestions. I'm actually considering the one about park & ride at Landover. That might allow me to get a hotel somewhere in MD (it's an overnight trip) without worrying about whether it's right next to a Metro stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crap Throwing Monkey Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 I've ridden with him. 397865[/snapback] That wasn't my fault and you know it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of BiB Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 That wasn't my fault and you know it. 397874[/snapback] It's only a one way street depending on ones perspective, isn't it? If you're going down it, you're only going down it one way. I DO think all the headlights and lack of tail lights might have given one a clue, but...I wasn't driving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fake-Fat Sunny Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 I'm surprised that no one has suggested taking the service called SuperShuttle if you aere willing to take public transport. I guess SuperShuttle is called formally a limo service though actually it is a van that you are sharing with up to 2 other destinations, The service is available at a desk and waiting area in the midst of the BWI baggage claim area between the two areas they have conveyor belts for baggage. One can call their 800# and arrange ahead of time to meet your van or you can simply walk up and when they have three destinations your van leaves. The advantages are that it is a airport to doorway service so that rather than you having to travel from the terminal to the MARC train and then from Union Station to your meeting site by Netro or cab you are taken straight to your mwwting site. The disadvantage is that you share the ride with two other destinations and if you happen to be the third one it lengthens the trip time. However, my experience has been that this time is minimal as they put together the trips based on the 3 destinations being relatively common or at least right on the same route (for example, I have found it quite useful for going to unusal DC are locations such as Alexandria and all my trip sharers have a VA destination and for locales such as Annapolis. The cost are much cheaper than a car rental if cost is an issue or a cab ride between BWI and DC. I first used the SuperShuttle service at the SF airport and found it to be a great way to get from NWI to exactly the location in DC where I am heading. They will also give you the 800# to arrange a pick-up at your meeting and take you back to BWI for a cost I have not done in awhile since I have had groups subsidize my travel and simply flown into National, but I often took SuperShuttle from BWI when I was traveling to DC on my own dime or airline anti-terror gymnatics made National an even bigger pain than normal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minotaur Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 What time would you be traveling? I left Fairfax, VA at 5:25 and parked before 6 AM near the Smithsonian metro stop. At 4:30 PM, by myself (so I can't use HOV roads like I-66), it takes about an hour to do those 19 miles. Of course, my parking spot is reserved, so I don't have to worry about where to park. The only times I've gone into MD during PM rush is on the way to WNY, and that generally sucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsWatch Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 BWI express bus to Metro and then take metro downdown. Metro now offers BWI Express Metro bus service between BWI and the Greenbelt metro station. The service provides a direct connection between BWI and the Greenbelt Metro Station. The BWI Express/B30 service runs every 40 minutes, 7 days a week to the Greenbelt Metro Station, which is located on the Green Line of the Washington Metro System. Buses run 25 times each weekday and 21 times on Saturdays and Sunday, every 40 minutes. The fee for this bus is less than $3. For more information call 202-637-7000 or go to www.wmata.com I have taken the bus a couple of times. Sure beats $10+ a day parking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VABills Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 You know, one thing lost on everyone. He is traveling overnight, gonna have bags and likely some work stuff for the meeting. Do you really believe that the metro/marc is really conducive to carrying bags on it. Plus with the added security around he is likely to get a lot of extra looks and who knows whatelse riding around DC metro with a bunch of bags. But whatever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt in KC Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 You know, one thing lost on everyone. He is traveling overnight, gonna have bags and likely some work stuff for the meeting. Do you really believe that the metro/marc is really conducive to carrying bags on it. Plus with the added security around he is likely to get a lot of extra looks and who knows whatelse riding around DC metro with a bunch of bags. But whatever. 397992[/snapback] Metro is only a pain around rush hour, though I think he'd still find a seat easily starting near or at the end of a line. At the same time, traffic is horrible at rush hour around DC, especially if you're not used to it. So, BRH, are you coming and going at rush hour? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VABills Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Metro is only a pain around rush hour, though I think he'd still find a seat easily starting near or at the end of a line. At the same time, traffic is horrible at rush hour around DC, especially if you're not used to it. So, BRH, are you coming and going at rush hour? 397994[/snapback] Oh I live here, trust me I know what a pain in the ass it can be. But metro is a pain as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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